Real Slag Research Articles

Thermodynamic and Experimental Investigations of High-Temperature Refractory Corrosion by Molten Slags

Corrosion mechanisms between MgO refractory substrates and FeNi slags were investigated. The FeNi slags taken into consideration represent a simple synthetically mixed slag with specific oxides and a real slag from a ferroalloy producer. The MgO refractory substrates with the specimens of FeNi slag were heated in a hot-stage microscope at 10 K/min from room temperature to three different temperatures 1573 K, 1723 K, and 1923 K (1300 °C, 1450 °C, and 1650 °C). The experiments were carried out under a controlled gas atmosphere that simulates the relevant process conditions. The corrosion mechanisms of each system were followed by scanning electron microscope analyses. The results obtained showed that slag corrosion dominates, with a pronounced partial dissolution of refractory fines forming Mg-silicates of type forsterite. It was also observed that iron oxide present in the slag diffused into the coarse refractory grains forming magnesiowustite. Finally, the results obtained were compared with those predicted by FACTSAGE software to understand the corrosion mechanisms and draw implications for improving the refractory performance and lifetime.

Investigation into properties of titanium bearing molten slag in smelting reduction process

With the increased use of smelting reduction processes, it is necessary to study some important properties of smelting reduction slags, which are different from those through the BF route. In this research, chemical reagents are utilised to simulate the real slag, the activities of FeO in slag and the viscosities of FeO–CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–MgO–TiO2–V2O5 slag system were measured under different temperatures, and the viscosity diagram and isoactivity curves of above slag system were obtained. The effect of different factors on the viscosity and activity of the slag was analysed respectively.

“I'm sexually attractive but I'm powerful”: Young women negotiating sexual reputation

“Slag,” “tart,” “slut” — these are all terms in common currency in 1990s Britain. Feminist researchers have identified how such insults are used by men to oppress women and to deny female desire and sexual agency. But how can we interpret women's own persistent use of such sexual insults? Can this simply be dismissed as evidence of patriarchal brain-washing? This article explores young women's understandings of such terms and identifies three overlapping but distinct ways in which “slag” is defined: slag as “other,” slag as “Everywoman,” and slag as “she who allows herself to be used.“ I argue that power, rather than sexual activity per se, is central to the understanding of a “real slag” and that a woman may be “promiscuous” and yet not be perceived as a slag because she is “in control.” It is this that accounts for the popularity of figures such as Madonna. Madonna is not a slag because she conveys the message: “I'm sexually attractive but I'm powerful.” In fact. Madonna and “slag” occupy the same conceptual space — the gap between being powerful and being sexually available. Terms such as “slag” express that contradiction, whereas Madonna appears to transcend it. Any attempt to challenge young people's concerns about sexual reputation must recognise the multiple levels on which such insults operate, the function of terms such as “slag” in naming exploitation, and the conflicts young women experience in exploring heterosexual relations.